# Are there believers here? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 28, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355 "2013-08-28T01:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/81 "2013-08-28T21:21:22Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > what do you think accounts for the lack of believers on this board that seems to comprise people in mid-life, and very intelligent? You nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/82 "2013-08-28T21:28:01Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > But Sun Grove Church IS in Elk Grove, California. Link: [http://sungrove.org/](http://sungrove.org/) Mind:blown. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/83 "2013-08-28T21:29:30Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > Correct, I’m in California. To be specific, your reside in the Elk Grove that is just south of Sacramento, not the Elk Grove that is in Humboldt County, correct? ---
**Author:** ![want2befree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/84 "2013-08-28T21:42:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > To be specific, your reside in the Elk Grove that is just south of Sacramento, not the Elk Grove that is in Humboldt County, correct? Never heard of that, but just looked it up and says it’s a former settlement no longer in existence. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/85 "2013-08-28T21:45:46Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > Never heard of that, but just looked it up and says it’s a former settlement no longer in existence. Just checking to see if you were a ghost. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/86 "2013-08-28T22:00:11Z")
> [@Silver\_Fire](#): > > The part about age reminded me of my dad, who has been convinced since I was a teenager that my lack of faith is some immature phase that I’ll “grow out of”. > > He still believes this. > > I’m 30. Hah - yep. My mom firmly believes that I, at the age of 45, will suddenly develop her brand of religiosity and a maternal instinct. Sorry, Mom. Ain’t happenin’. ---
**Author:** ![want2befree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/87 "2013-08-28T22:04:01Z")
> [@Katriona](#): > > Hah - yep. My mom firmly believes that I, at the age of 45, will suddenly develop her brand of religiosity and a maternal instinct. > > Sorry, Mom. Ain’t happenin’. Speaking of that, my 88 year old parents were not too thrilled when I told them I jumped ship from the Catholic church. You’d think I’d turned atheist! ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/88 "2013-08-28T22:42:24Z")
I am probably one of the most “conservative Christ followers” here, having converted from an atheistic upbringing. I believe, for example, that Jesus is the messiah foretold in Hebrew scriptures, that He is unique, the way, the truth, the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. I believe God created the heavens and the earth and that history/time is heading towards a culmination where mercy and justice will be reconciled in ways that will astound most of us. Those old creeds (such as the Apostles creed) - I believe that. I post rarely on any subject and I generally pass on religious-themed discussions because of the acrimony. I have private-messaged a number of people who have posed what I perceived as sincere questions about how anyone in their right mind could believe “all that stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a6a055/32.png) [@Tequila\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Party)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/89 "2013-08-28T22:44:20Z")
Thanks **GIGObuster**. That was a very thoughtful reply. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/90 "2013-08-28T22:46:12Z")
> [@as\_u\_wish](#): > > I have private-messaged a number of people who have posed what I perceived as sincere questions about how anyone in their right mind could believe “all that stuff.” I don’t mean to sound as snarky as it may appear, but I would be fascinated to hear your answer to that question. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/91 "2013-08-29T06:56:20Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > Jesus Christ, who died on a cross for our sins, to bring us everlasting life. So you’re implying that all “believers” are Christian? What do you call people who believe in other religions? And by the way, atheists are “believers” too. There are other things to believe in, besides God. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/92 "2013-08-29T08:10:48Z")
I’m chiming in. Evangelical, ‘Charismatic’ Christian- member of local Assembly of God, but could be just as happy in an evangelical-charismatic friendly mainstream Protestant church. Attracted by a lot of Catholic & Orthodox teaching & practice but there’s too much fossilized tradition for me. Why does SDMB skew to non-believers in any religion? A variety of reasons- some just honestly can’t believe, some have been turned off by stupid or mean beliefs &/or believers, and some just think they are too smart for God or those silly primitive believers. The latter group is the most likely to include the a-hole element who like to piss on religion & religious people. Why do I believe? The existence of the Cosmos indicates Intelligence & Purpose behind it rather than Mindless Matter in Motion. The history of how the Jews have survived & thrived over every opportunity to destroy them indicated that The Intelligence has a major purpose for them. I find in Jesus & His Church an adequate diagnosis & remedy for the wonderful horrible creatures called people. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/93 "2013-08-29T08:46:05Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > Actually, my point was quite the contrary. I was saying that most people here are intelligent and non-believers, so as a believer I was starting to wonder if I should feel under par.] > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > The most direct answer to your pondering is, “yes”, but not in the golf sense. Reported for personal insult, albeit veiled, outside the pit. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/94 "2013-08-29T09:00:42Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > I sang in the choir but felt immense guilt from my “mortal sins” I was committing. Wow. How bad was your singing? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/95 "2013-08-29T22:23:45Z")
**Want2befree** , I’ve seen you over in the MMP threads. Some of the other members in those threads do mention going to church. So yes, there are other believers on this board (including some who have posted in this thread already), so you’re not alone. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/96 "2013-08-31T20:04:33Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I wonder if there are ANY boards out there that _aren’t_ specifically designed around Christian (or diest) dogma, whose Christian members are in the majority? > > A Republican board maybe? You should get out more. According to Wikipedia, 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. On any of the boards I frequent which are devoted to rural pursuits or more traditional women’s crafts like sewing, it is generally assumed that one is Christian (prayers are requested etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/97 "2013-08-31T21:42:40Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > You should get out more. According to Wikipedia, 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. On any of the boards I frequent which are devoted to rural pursuits or more traditional women’s crafts like sewing, it is generally assumed that one is Christian (prayers are requested etc.). Shakes is on the same page as you; see the ‘aren’t’ part in their post? They were making a dig at Republicans at the end there, could be confusing. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/98 "2013-08-31T22:17:14Z")
I think people are being too hard on the OP, and that it should not matter exactly where the OP lives. (I’m an atheist.) ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/99 "2013-08-31T23:12:56Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > I think people are being too hard on the OP, and that it should not matter exactly where the OP lives. (I’m an atheist.) We don’t care where they live, it was just a rabbit hole we ran down. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355/100 "2013-08-31T23:41:21Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Oh. Well, shucks. Yeah, I’m pretty sick of the assumption that one has to be a Christian in order to be a “believer.” There’s way more out there than just Christian vs. atheist. I am a believer, but not by the OP’s definition. So, there you go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-believers-here/667355.md?page=6)